Skip to content

The Division of Intramural Research Seminar Series

A public lecture series, hosted by the NEI Intramural Research Program on the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, Maryland.

Upcoming Seminars

Molecular Organization of the Photoreceptor Synapses

April 9, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

Bethesda, MD

Kirill A. Martemyanov, PhD

Professor And Chair, Department Of Neuroscience

University of Florida Health

Dr. Martemyanov and his laboratory study the fundamental principles that regulate signaling via G protein coupled receptors (GPCR). GPCRs mediate a vast variety of critical biological processes ranging from proliferation and motility to cellular reception and excitability. GPCR signaling pathways are of particular importance for the nervous system function where they control many fundamental processes including excitability, differentiation, sensory perception and synaptic transmission.

For assistance, including the need for sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Ieva (Eve) Macionyte at ieva.macionyte@nih.gov

The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) is pleased to support the NEI for their Division of Intramural Research Seminar Series. FAES programs complement the work of NIH in accomplishing its mission of seeking and applying fundamental knowledge about the biomedical sciences. FAES is committed to supporting the academic and professional advancement of our community of learners through a constantly evolving curriculum and award-winning learner-centered approach to faculty development. Our Academic Programs department offers high quality, innovative, and flexible online continuing education and training, and we support our faculty in delivering impactful learning experiences through courses and workshops designed and taught according to research-based best practices. To learn more and to register, visit education.faes.org.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDIxNDQwZmQtODRhNi00M2Y4…

Why is Glaucoma an Age-Related Disease

May 21, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

Bethesda, MD

Steven L. Bernstein, MD, PhD

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Dr. Steven Bernstein and his laboratory interests center on age-related and genetically associated optic nerve diseases, in particular nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which is a stroke of the optic nerve, and the most common cause of sudden optic nerve-related vision loss. During the last five years, his laboratory has developed new ways to identify stem cells that may both contribute to normal nerve function, and aid in repair of optic nerve injury.

For assistance, including the need for sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Ieva (Eve) Macionyte at ieva.macionyte@nih.gov

The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) is pleased to support the NEI for their Division of Intramural Research Seminar Series. FAES programs complement the work of NIH in accomplishing its mission of seeking and applying fundamental knowledge about the biomedical sciences. FAES is committed to supporting the academic and professional advancement of our community of learners through a constantly evolving curriculum and award-winning learner-centered approach to faculty development. Our Academic Programs department offers high quality, innovative, and flexible online continuing education and training, and we support our faculty in delivering impactful learning experiences through courses and workshops designed and taught according to research-based best practices. To learn more and to register, visit education.faes.org.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDIxNDQwZmQtODRhNi00M2Y4…

What do Reactive Astrocytes (really) Do

June 4, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

Bethesda, MD

Shane Liddelow, PhD

Associate Professor

NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Dr. Shane Liddelow's primary research focus is on understanding the complex roles of astrocytes in the brain. Astrocytes are a type of glial cell that play crucial roles in maintaining brain homeostasis, supporting neuron function, and responding to injury. His work has particularly centered on a subtype of reactive astrocytes that we discovered, which release toxic factors capable of killing specific neurons.

For assistance, including the need for sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Ieva (Eve) Macionyte at ieva.macionyte@nih.gov

The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) is pleased to support the NEI for their Division of Intramural Research Seminar Series. FAES programs complement the work of NIH in accomplishing its mission of seeking and applying fundamental knowledge about the biomedical sciences. FAES is committed to supporting the academic and professional advancement of our community of learners through a constantly evolving curriculum and award-winning learner-centered approach to faculty development. Our Academic Programs department offers high quality, innovative, and flexible online continuing education and training, and we support our faculty in delivering impactful learning experiences through courses and workshops designed and taught according to research-based best practices. To learn more and to register, visit education.faes.org.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDIxNDQwZmQtODRhNi00M2Y4…

The Neural Basis of Tear Secretion

June 18, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

Qin Liu, PhD

Full Professor

Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Qin Liu’s research focuses on the neural components of allergic and infectious diseases. Her group aims to dissect the neuronal populations and circuits that drive allergic and infectious symptoms, including itchy, watery eyes, excessive sneezing, rhinorrhea, and coughing.

For assistance, including the need for sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Ieva (Eve) Macionyte at ieva.macionyte@nih.gov

The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) is pleased to support the NEI for their Division of Intramural Research Seminar Series. FAES programs complement the work of NIH in accomplishing its mission of seeking and applying fundamental knowledge about the biomedical sciences. FAES is committed to supporting the academic and professional advancement of our community of learners through a constantly evolving curriculum and award-winning learner-centered approach to faculty development. Our Academic Programs department offers high quality, innovative, and flexible online continuing education and training, and we support our faculty in delivering impactful learning experiences through courses and workshops designed and taught according to research-based best practices. To learn more and to register, visit education.faes.org.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDIxNDQwZmQtODRhNi00M2Y4…

Past Seminars

Resolving the functions of novel primate retinal ganglion cell types: a multimodal approach

May 30, 2024 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

Bethesda, MD

Teresa Puthussery, O.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry & Vision Science
University of California Berkeley  

Hybrid event (in-person and online)

The promise of complement-based therapies for dry AMD

April 18, 2024 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

Bethesda, MD

Catherine Bowes-Rickman, Ph.D.
George and Geneva Boguslavsky Distinguished Professor of Eye Research
Duke University

Hybrid event (in-person and online)

Mechanisms of Memory and Cognition

March 14, 2024 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

Elizabeth Buffalo, Ph.D.
Chair & Professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
University of Washington

This seminar is now exclusively virtual.

Mature retina is resilient to partial photoreceptor loss

February 22, 2024 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

Bethesda, MD

Felice Dunn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology
University of California, San Francisco

Hybrid event

Orienting eye movements in dreams and wakefulness

February 1, 2024 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

Bethesda, MD

Massimo Scanziani, Ph.D.
Professor/HHMI Investigator
University of California, San Francisco/HHMI

Hybrid event (in-person and online)

Last updated: September 11, 2025